Officially.. Cheikhou Kouyate announces retirement from football due to heart issue

Senegalese Cheikhou Kouyate has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36, following nearly two decades at the highest levels. He confirmed that the decision came after medical advice to stop playing due to a heart issue.

Cheikhou Kouyate has revealed he has been suffering from a heart issue since birth, which was regularly monitored during his time playing in England with West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. However, he decided to continue playing despite the issue being discovered in medical examinations.

The Senegalese player explained that he concealed the matter for years out of fear of being forced to retire early, noting that he did not even inform his family members or the doctors of the Senegal national team about the reality of his suffering, despite the problem appearing during the medical examinations he underwent at his English clubs.

The end came after he underwent medical examinations in preparation for a return to RSC Anderlecht in Belgium, where the doctor advised him to stop playing football, leading Kouyate to decide to put an end to his career.

Throughout his career, Cheikhou Kouyate has played 92 international matches for Senegal and won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021. He has also appeared in 291 matches in the Premier League.